Roy Keane Rips into Ange Postecoglou, Says It’s His “Time to Suffer” and Questions James Maddison’s Impact
Roy Keane has delivered a scathing critique of Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou, insisting that the Australian must now endure the pressures of top-level management after previously having it easy at Celtic. The former Manchester United captain dismissed Postecoglou’s complaints about injuries and fixture congestion, suggesting that it’s simply part of the job. Keane didn’t stop there—he also took aim at Spurs midfielder James Maddison, questioning whether he has what it takes to lift the team out of their current struggles.
Postecoglou Under Pressure as Spurs’ Season Unravels
Postecoglou’s debut season at Tottenham started with promise, but the optimism has faded rapidly. In the space of just four days, Spurs crashed out of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, leaving the Europa League as their only realistic shot at silverware. Meanwhile, their Premier League form has been dismal—they currently sit in 14th place with just eight wins from 24 games, a far cry from the expectations set when Postecoglou boldly claimed he would win a trophy in his second season.
The Australian manager has frequently cited Tottenham’s extensive injury list as a major factor in their poor performances. However, while the club’s hierarchy continues to back him for now, speculation is growing about how much patience they will have if results do not improve.
Keane: “It’s Ange’s Time to Suffer”
Speaking on Stick to Football, a show brought to fans by Sky Bet, Keane made it clear that he has little sympathy for Postecoglou’s predicament. The outspoken pundit argued that the Spurs boss never showed concern for managers of smaller clubs when he was dominating Scottish football with Celtic—so now, it’s simply his turn to struggle.
“When a manager signs a big contract, he’s not going to sit there and say, ‘I’ll take the money, but I only want to work when there are no midweek games,’” Keane said. “It’s a tough job—it comes with fatigue, traveling, and the demands of European football.”
Keane pointed out that while at Celtic, Postecoglou had the best players and the biggest budget, steamrolling teams like Dundee and Hibernian without much concern for the challenges those clubs faced.
“Do you think he had sympathy for Dundee when Celtic won 9-0? He didn’t care less,” Keane continued. “Now, it’s Ange’s time to suffer—just like every other manager in football.”
Keane Slams Maddison: “If He’s the Answer, You’re in Cuckoo Land”
Keane also cast doubt on Tottenham’s ability to turn their season around when injured players return. While he acknowledged that key names like Micky van de Ven and Guglielmo Vicario could make a difference, he was far less convinced by James Maddison.
“People are saying, ‘Maddison’s the man.’ But when is he actually going to step up?” Keane asked. “He got relegated with Leicester City, and now he’s struggling with Spurs. He’s a talented player, sure—but if you think he’s going to come back and suddenly push Spurs into the top six, you’re in cuckoo land.”
Keane didn’t hold back in his criticism of the England international, referencing a poor performance in a recent FA Cup tie against non-league Tamworth.
“We saw him against Tamworth, and he got taken off! That’s a non-league team. If you’re a player in that Spurs dressing room and Maddison walks back into the squad, are you really thinking, ‘Oh, James is back—we’re going to be fine’? I don’t think so.”
While Keane did admit that Maddison has shown flashes of brilliance—pointing to his display in Spurs’ 4-0 win over Manchester City—he questioned his ability to perform consistently at the highest level.
“He set a standard that night against City—he mixed his attacking quality with defensive discipline. But the problem with Maddison is consistency. He doesn’t keep that level up.”
Spurs at a Crossroads
As pressure mounts on Postecoglou, the question remains: Can Tottenham turn things around? With injuries easing, the return of key players might provide a boost—but as Keane pointed out, there’s no guarantee it will be enough. If Spurs continue to struggle, the calls for change will only grow louder, and Postecoglou’s time in North London could come under even greater scrutiny.
Roy Keane slams Postecoglou who deserves to ‘suffer’ as Spurs boss in ‘cuckoo land’ for resting hopes on James Maddison
